Abstract
Background: Lack of feasible palpation display for primary diagnosis of a tumor without any need of physician to patient physical contact has been reported as one of the major concerns. To further explore this area, we developed a novel palpation device consisting of a uniquely designed nodule mechanism (based on optimizing nodule top and bottom hemisphere wall thickness and manipulating granular jamming method) that can vary stiffness while maintaining the shape of the same nodule display, for which current devices are not capable of in terms of aping a tumor. Methods: This paper evaluates the manufacturing approach of the nodule, exploring several iterations of the nodule prototype. Experiments were performed on nodule prototypes of varying wall thicknesses in order to evaluate its effect on stiffness and deformation. Results and Conclusions: Experimental results showed that nodule top and bottom wall thickness had a significant effect on the stiffness and deformation of the nodule. The higher the thickness of the top hemisphere and the lower the thickness of the bottom hemisphere, the greater the stiffness the nodule can achieve. Similarly, the display shape of the nodule can be maintained with minimal or no deformation if the nodule top hemisphere thickness is optimally higher than bottom hemisphere thickness.
Highlights
One of the leading causes of death is cancer, and it is estimated that by 2030, the number of new cancer cases will rise up to 23.6 million per year [1]
To further investigate in this way and to enhance the early diagnosis procedure, we introduced a concept and designed a simplified and compact palpation device that would facilitate a physician with the physical experience of variable stiffness level of a lump so that they can differentiate among a cyst, possibly malignant; premalignant tumor; and benign tumor through utilizing the device [30,31,32]
We presented a feasibility study and experimental evaluation of a uniquely designed nodule developed for our palpation display apparatus, a novel apparatus that we introduced to facilitate non-contact primary diagnosis of tumor through palpation
Summary
One of the leading causes of death is cancer, and it is estimated that by 2030, the number of new cancer cases will rise up to 23.6 million per year [1]. Lack of feasible palpation display for primary diagnosis of a tumor without any need of physician to patient physical contact has been reported as one of the major concerns. To further explore this area, we developed a novel palpation device consisting of a uniquely designed nodule mechanism (based on optimizing nodule top and bottom hemisphere wall thickness and manipulating granular jamming method) that can vary stiffness while maintaining the shape of the same nodule display, for which current devices are not capable of in terms of aping a tumor. The display shape of the nodule can be maintained with minimal or no deformation if the nodule top hemisphere thickness is optimally higher than bottom hemisphere thickness
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